Google is set to significantly enhance the protection of Android smartphones against theft by upgrading the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature. According to Android Authority, this update aims to complicate the usage of devices that have been factory reset without the owner's consent.

Currently, FRP activates after a reset through the Android recovery menu or the "Find My Device" service, requiring ownership confirmation via a linked Google account or by entering the PIN, password, or pattern of the previous lock screen. If this step is not completed, the device becomes unusable.

However, criminals have learned to bypass this protection by skipping the setup wizard. During The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google announced that the new FRP update will be able to detect such attempts and forcibly perform a factory reset until the owner verifies their ownership of the device.

These improvements are expected to be available later this year, likely as part of one of the quarterly Android 16 updates. This innovation is anticipated to significantly reduce smartphone thefts, as stolen devices will become unsuitable for resale.